802.11ad Channels ====================== .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is IEEE 802.11ad?** IEEE 802.11ad is a Wi-Fi standard that enables multi-gigabit wireless communication in the 60 GHz frequency band, also known as WiGig. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What frequency does 802.11ad use?** 802.11ad operates in the 60 GHz frequency band, specifically from 57 GHz to 71 GHz depending on the region. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How many channels are defined in 802.11ad?** Up to 6 channels are defined, each 2.16 GHz wide, though availability depends on regional regulations. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is the channel width in 802.11ad?** Each channel is 2.16 GHz wide, much wider than typical 20/40/80 MHz Wi-Fi channels. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Why does 802.11ad use such wide channels?** The ultra-wide 2.16 GHz channels allow for extremely high data rates up to 7 Gbps. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What are the typical 802.11ad channels?** Channels are centered at 58.32, 60.48, 62.64, 64.80, 66.96, and 69.12 GHz (varies by region). .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Are 802.11ad channels overlapping?** No, each 2.16 GHz channel is spaced to avoid overlap, reducing interference. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What modulation techniques are used in 802.11ad?** 802.11ad uses various modulation schemes including π/2-BPSK, π/2-QPSK, 16-QAM, and 64-QAM. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How does 802.11ad achieve high data rates?** Through wide channels, high-order modulation, and beamforming techniques. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Does 802.11ad use OFDM?** No, it primarily uses Single Carrier (SC) modulation for low complexity and low power. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is beamforming in 802.11ad?** Beamforming focuses the signal in a specific direction to overcome high path loss at 60 GHz. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Is line-of-sight required for 802.11ad?** Generally yes, due to poor wall penetration and high attenuation at 60 GHz frequencies. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is the typical range of 802.11ad?** 1–10 meters depending on environment and whether there’s a clear line of sight. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is the typical use case for 802.11ad?** High-speed short-range applications like wireless docking stations, VR headsets, and media streaming. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Is 802.11ad backward compatible with 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi?** Not directly. Dual- or tri-band devices include 802.11ad alongside traditional radios. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Does 802.11ad support MIMO?** No traditional MIMO, but uses directional beamforming for spatial reuse. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is fast session transfer (FST)?** FST allows devices to switch between 2.4/5 GHz and 60 GHz bands for better performance or reliability. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How does 802.11ad handle interference?** Its directional beams and high frequency reduce interference, though reflections may affect stability. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Can 802.11ad penetrate walls?** Poorly. 60 GHz signals have high attenuation and are typically blocked by walls. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What are the regional restrictions on 60 GHz channels?** Availability of certain channels depends on country regulations such as FCC (US), ETSI (Europe), etc. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is the MAC layer behavior in 802.11ad?** It uses a hybrid of CSMA/CA and TDMA for scheduled transmissions with low latency. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Is DFS or TPC required in 802.11ad?** No, these mechanisms are not used in the 60 GHz band due to low risk of radar interference. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What devices support 802.11ad?** Some laptops, docking stations, VR headsets, and routers—though adoption has been limited. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Is 802.11ad still used today?** Its use has declined in favor of 802.11ay and other mmWave technologies, but it's still found in some niche products. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is the difference between 802.11ad and 802.11ay?** 802.11ay is an enhancement of 802.11ad, with support for higher data rates, longer range, and MIMO. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How does 802.11ad handle channel access?** Through scheduled access periods, service periods, and contention-based access using a directional MAC. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Can 802.11ad be used for mesh networking?** No, it's not ideal due to limited range and high directionality; mesh is better suited to 2.4/5 GHz bands. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What are the challenges of using 802.11ad?** Short range, need for line of sight, and susceptibility to blockage by objects like hands or furniture. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How is channel bonding handled in 802.11ad?** It doesn't support channel bonding like 802.11ac; each 2.16 GHz channel is used individually. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What tools are available for 802.11ad analysis?** Specialized 60 GHz spectrum analyzers, vendor-specific diagnostics, and chipset debugging tools. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow Topics in this section, * :ref:`List of channels ` * :ref:`List of channel widths ` * :ref:`List of Bands ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. _channels_ad_step4: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: List of channels (802.11ad) ===================== ======================= ========================== ============== Channel Number (GHz) Center Frequency (GHz) Frequency Range (GHz) DFS Required ===================== ======================= ========================== ============== 1 58.32 57.24 – 59.40 No 2 60.48 59.40 – 61.56 No 3 62.64 61.56 – 63.72 No 4 64.80 63.72 – 65.88 No 5 66.96 65.88 – 68.04 No 6 69.12 68.04 – 70.20 No ===================== ======================= ========================== ============== .. _channels_ad_step5: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: List of channel widths * channel widths .. _channels_ad_step6: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: List of Bands (802.11ad) ======================= ====================== ====================== ============================================================ Band Name Frequency Range (GHz) Frequency Range (MHz) Channels ======================= ====================== ====================== ============================================================ V-Band (Lower) 57 – 64 57000 – 64000 Channel 1 (58.32 GHz), Channel 2 (60.48 GHz), Channel 3 (62.64 GHz), Channel 4 (64.80 GHz) V-Band (Upper) 64 – 71 64000 – 71000 Channel 5 (66.96 GHz), Channel 6 (69.12 GHz) ======================= ====================== ====================== ============================================================ .. _channels_ad_step17: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Reference links * Reference links